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Reproductive Organs & Pregnancy > Pregnancy > Pregnancy Risk Categories

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Pregnancy Risk Categories

The term "Pregnancy Risk Factor" followed by letter A, B, C, D or X signifies a pregnancy category. The FDA established these five categories to indicate the potential of a systemically absorbed drug for causing birth defects. The categories are determined by the reliability of documentation and the risk to benefit (risk:benefit) ratio.

Pregnancy category X is particularly distinguished in that if any data exists that may implicate a drug as a teratogen (potentially causing birth defects) and the risk to benefit ratio is clearly negative, the drug is contraindicated (prohibited from use) during pregnancy.

Sometimes a drug taken by a woman during pregnancy may enter a fetus, causing damage or birth defects. The risk of damage done to a fetus is the greatest in the first few weeks of pregnancy, when major organs are developing. However, researchers do not know if taking medicines during pregnancy may also have negative effects on the baby later on.

Introduced in 1979, the pregnancy category of a pharmaceutical agent is an assessment of the risk of fetal injury due to the pharmaceutical, if it is used as directed by the mother during pregnancy. It does not include any risks given by pharmaceutical agents or their metabolites that are present in breast milk.

The FDA requires a relatively large amount of high-quality data on a pharmaceutical for it to be defined as pregnancy category A. As a result of this, many drugs that would be considered pregnancy category A in other countries are allocated to category C by the FDA.

Categories

Category A: Controlled studies in pregnant women fail to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester with no evidence of risk in later trimesters. The possibility of fetal harm appears unlikely. Examples may include: folic acid, vitamin B6 and thyroid medicine in moderation or in prescribed doses.

Category B: Either animal-reproduction studies have not demonstrated a fetal risk, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women, OR animal-reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect (other than a decrease in fertility) that was not confirmed in controlled studies in women in the first trimester and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters. Examples may include: some antibiotics, acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspartame (artificial sweetener), famotidine (Pepcid), prednisone (cortisone), insulin (for diabetes), and ibuprofin (Advil, Motrin) before the third trimester. Pregnant women should not take ibuprofen during the last three months of pregnancy.

Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal effects or other) and there are no controlled studies in women, OR studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus. These drugs may include prochlorperazine (Compazine), Sudafed, fluconazole (Diflucan) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Some antidepressants are also included in this group.

Category D: There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g. if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective). Examples may include alcohol, lithium (used to treat manic depression), phenytoin (Dilantin) and most chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy drugs may be given during pregnancy.

Category X: Studies in animals or human beings have demonstrated fetal abnormalities or there is evidence of fetal risk based on human experience, or both, and the risk of the use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweighs any possible benefit. The drug is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. Examples may include: drugs to treat skin conditions like cystic acne (Accutane) and psoriasis (Tegison or Soriatane); a sedative (thalidomide); and a drug to prevent miscarriage used up until 1971 in the United States and 1983 in Europe (diethylstilbestrol or DES).

Theory/evidence

Unless research focuses on a pregnancy-related condition such as labor induction, drugs typically are not studied in pregnant women because of the risk of exposing the woman to an experimental drug and harming the fetus.

Currently there is a significant lack of adequate information on medications that sometimes must be used in pregnancy, such as antibiotics, and drugs to treat seizure disorders, hypertension, and psychiatric conditions. The FDA established the Labeling Task Force in 1996 to ensure pregnancy labeling of medical products is based on sound, scientific information.

Canadian pharmacologists at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, have compiled a listing of common herbs, vitamins and supplements considered to be safe for use during pregnancy based on all available studies. Herbs were placed on a grading system to rate their safety for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Cranberries (for urinary tract infections), echinacea (for colds), garlic (for hypertension) and ginger (for nausea) have all been given an A rating for safety. An A rating means that large well-conducted trials showed no serious adverse effects. On the list of unsafe herbs is parsley, which could increase the chance of miscarriage. Doctors were uncertain how to grade substances like black cohosh which are used to induce labor.

Pregnant women have increased blood volume, which forces the heart and kidneys to work harder. Drugs may be cleared through a pregnant woman's kidneys faster than normal. However, often doctors may err on the side of caution by giving pregnant women a lower dose than for non-pregnant patients in hopes to protect the fetus, while because of the physiological changes that occur in pregnancy, there may be times when pregnant women need a higher dose.

Pregnancy registries have grown over the years. These registries follow women taking a certain drug until their pregnancy ends, allowing researchers to use the results to assess risks to mothers and their babies. Examples are the Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry run by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Organization of Teratology Information Services' (OTIS) Asthma Medications and Pregnancy Project.

Safety

Some herbs, supplements, foods and drugs are not safe to take during pregnancy. Even drugs prescribed by a health care provider before a patient became pregnant might be harmful to both the patient and the growing fetus during pregnancy. The patient should ensure that her health care providers know that she is pregnant and never take any drugs during pregnancy unless instructed to by a health care provider.

There are few or no medicines that are scientifically proven to be absolutely safe during pregnancy. Generally, most medications are not considered absolutely safe in any condition.

Caution is advised when using any herbal product during pregnancy without talking to a health care provider first. Consult a health care professional prior to use.

Herbal medications may often be perceived as safe because they are natural products that may have a long history of use. However, the ingredients are often extremely pure, potent plant extracts that could have dangerous side effects. The growing popularity of alternative therapies requires that medical professionals understand their possible effects.

Ginger is a common treatment for morning sickness, but there are reports that usage may lead to abortion, mutations of the fetus, or increased risk of bleeding. Blue cohosh tea may be recommended to help induce labor because it causes uterine contractions, but it may have been associated with myocardial infarction of the fetus. Species of birthwort are also used in obstetrics even though they may contain known nephrotoxins and mutagens. Hellebore is used for nausea and regulating menstruation, hemlock used as a sedative or for cramps and spasms, and tragacanth is used for immune stimulation, yet all are known to be teratogenic in animals. Caution should be taken before administering these and other supplements to patients and should generally be avoided in pregnant patients.

Fear of taking medication in pregnancy may be reasonable, but there are times when under-treating or not treating a condition may be dangerous, or even life-threatening.

Aspirin and other drugs containing salicylate are not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the last three months.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects, namely fetal alcohol syndrome. No amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been proven safe.

Related Terms

Birth defects, category A, category B, category C, category D, category X, fetal development, pregnancy risk factor, teratogen.

Natural Standard Bottom Line Monograph, Copyright © 2009 (www.naturalstandard.com). Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intendedfor informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Natural Standard's methodology , editorial board , and grading scales.

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